Navigating a world of bots, ads and broken trust
Will the web once again prioritise real human connections over clicks and engagement?
n online is forcing users to seek out more trustworthy communities | Photo Credit: Getty Images

In the early days of the Internet, the excitement was palpable. The digital world promised boundless communication, reconnecting with old friends, voicing frustrations about customer service, and even achieving viral fame. Information that once felt unreachable was now accessible with a few clicks, and best of all, it was free. It was a utopia of ideas and connection. Fast forward to today, and that early magic has all but evaporated. Algorithms, AI-generated content, and an insatiable thirst for advertising revenue have replaced it.

A recent study by Amazon Web Services captures the evolving Internet, emphasising the rise of low-cost AI tools. The study reveals that 57% of online content has been translated into multiple languages through machine learning. While this should promote global communication, the reality is troubling. Especially in regions such as Africa and the Global South, poor translations often distort valuable information into misleading clickbait, driven by the desire for ad revenue.